BSOD-Unmountable & others

  • Thread starter Thread starter antioch
  • Start date Start date
A

antioch

Guest
Win XP SP3 - currently updated. Win Live Mail, IE8.

No recently ADDED HARDWARE OR SOFTWARE - seems important.



Sorry re the length of this thread - it could have been longer. But I have

tried to keep it short and with the latest situation -

For the last 24 hours I have had a series of BSODs - not all the same.

The 2 today have been Unmountable_Boot_Volume and having got through that,

more recently the Kernal_Stack_Inpage errors.



This morning I could not start/boot the computer at first, but eventually,

more I think by luck than judgment, I got it to start and all seemed fine.

I went out and came back some hours later, having left the computer on, only

to find a BSOD with C0000218 Unknown hard error.

Did a restart and got the computer up and running.

Did a restart all OK.

Switched off then on and got a BSOD, the Kernal - well at least it was anew

one.



Following troubleshooting in MS help and this newsgroup, I have tried

various methods and got the computer running again.

First tried the recovery console method but the press 'R' did not activate

and respond - had not previously either - last known etc did not work

previously either.

Did a restart - let it run all the way through - got to the little blue

train running through the tunnel - spent a couple of minutes at least

watching this, then got BSOD Unmountable again.

Restarted again, F8 and got the select boot device - inserted my OEM XP

disc - selected the hard drive hit enter and at last the chkdsk started - it

went through all phases, then it suddenly disappeared and the computer went

through the normal start sequence - I allowed it to start with NORMAL XP -

up came the welcome screen and all OK - and so far I have been using the

computer without any particular side effects.



Since then I have done another dskchk from start/run - went through all

three phases until it got to 'verifying usn journal' - seemed to hang there

for a while then the window disappeared.

I have also run a scan for errors on C: via My Comp/Prop/Tools[is this the

same as chkdsk] - result was 'unable to complete' in the third phase - no

reason given - backed up all personal files, email, favourites, address book

etc.



Currently I am scanning for any 'nasties' and I have a laptop with which to

keep in contact with the newsgroups.



I will of course not know if I still have a BSOD problem until I switch off

later tonight. A restart was again OK.



Reading other posts/threads/forums etc I have a feeling that the HD may have

a problem, seeing that I have had a variety of BSODs in the last 24 hours.

So I am collating the best advice for a clean install.



When I get some time, I will read through James Eshelman's bit on 'stop'

messages.



Rgds

Antioch
 
On May 25, 6:56 pm, "antioch" wrote:

> Win XP SP3 - currently updated.  Win Live Mail, IE8.

> No recently ADDED HARDWARE OR SOFTWARE - seems important.

>

> Sorry re the length of this thread - it could have been longer.  But I have

> tried to keep it short and with the latest situation -

> For the last 24 hours I have had a series of BSODs - not all the same.

> The 2 today have been Unmountable_Boot_Volume and having got through that,

> more recently the Kernal_Stack_Inpage errors.

>

> This morning I could not start/boot the computer at first, but eventually,

> more I think by luck than judgment, I got it to start and all seemed fine..

> I went out and came back some hours later, having left the computer on, only

> to find a BSOD with C0000218 Unknown hard error.

> Did a restart and got the computer up and running.

> Did a restart all OK.

> Switched off then on and got a BSOD, the Kernal - well at least it was anew

> one.

>

> Following troubleshooting in MS help and this newsgroup, I have tried

> various methods and got the computer running again.

> First tried the recovery console method but the press 'R' did not activate

> and respond - had not previously either - last known etc did not work

> previously either.

> Did a restart - let it run all the way through - got to the little blue

> train running through the tunnel - spent a couple of minutes at least

> watching this, then got BSOD Unmountable again.

> Restarted again, F8 and got the select boot device - inserted my OEM XP

> disc - selected the hard drive hit enter and at last the chkdsk started -it

> went through all phases, then it suddenly disappeared and the computer went

> through the normal start sequence - I allowed it to start with NORMAL XP -

> up came the welcome screen and all OK - and so far I have been using the

> computer without any particular side effects.

>

> Since then I have done another dskchk from start/run - went through all

> three phases until it got to 'verifying usn journal' - seemed to hang there

> for a while then the window disappeared.

> I have also run a scan for errors on C: via My Comp/Prop/Tools[is this the

> same as chkdsk] - result was 'unable to complete' in the third phase - no

> reason given - backed up all personal files, email, favourites, address book

> etc.

>

> Currently I am scanning for any 'nasties' and I have a laptop with which to

> keep in contact with the newsgroups.

>

> I will of course not know if I still have a BSOD problem until I switch off

> later tonight.  A restart was again OK.

>

> Reading other posts/threads/forums etc I have a feeling that the HD may have

> a problem, seeing that I have had a variety of BSODs in the last 24 hours..

> So I am collating the best advice for a clean install.

>

> When I get some time, I will read through James Eshelman's bit on 'stop'

> messages.

>

> Rgds

> Antioch



If your message said "kernal" and not "kernel" your computer is

infected.



You should scan for nasties with these:



Perform some scans for malicious software, then fix any remaining

issues:



Download, install, update and do a full scan with these free malware

detection programs:



Malwarebytes (MBAM): http://malwarebytes.org/

SUPERAntiSpyware: (SAS): http://www.superantispyware.com/



They can be uninstalled later if desired.



If your system runs chkdsk when you reboot the results are in the

Event Log:



Look in the Application log for an event sourced by Winlogon,

something like:



Event Type: Information

Event Source: Winlogon

Event Category: None

Event ID: 1001

Description:

Checking file system on C:

The type of the file system is NTFS.



If you are not sure what chkdsk is doing or it is not completing, you

should run it from the Recovery Console, then you can see what it is

doing.



The HDD has to be in a "static state" to get reliable results from

chkdsk. You can achieve a static state in only two ways:



1. Before XP finishes loading (when you select to run chkdsk on a

restart).

2. From the Recovery Console



Booting and running something like chkdsk is not chkdsk. You can read

about it here (when you have time):



http://support.microsoft.com/kb/187941



You can create a bootable XP Recovery Console CD when no XP media is

available: This is not the same as any Recovery or System CDs that

may have come with a store bought system. I would not recommend using

any tools that "are the same as chkdsk" or something that is "the same

as a Recovery Console".



Here is how to make an XP bootable Recovery Console CD if you are not

sure what you have:



http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic276527.html



When you boot on the CD, follow the prompts:



Press any key to boot from CD...



The Windows Setup... will proceed.



Press 'R' to enter the Recovery Console.



Select the installation you want to access (usually 1: C:\WINDOWS)



You may be asked to enter the Administrator password (usually empty).



You should be in the C:\WINDOWS folder. This is the same as the C:

\WINDOWS folder you see in explorer.



RC allows basic file commands - copy, rename, replace, delete, cd,

chkdsk, fixboot, fixmbr, etc.



From the command prompt window run the chkdsk command on the drive

where Windows is installed to try to repair any problems on the

afflicted drive.



Running chkdsk is fine to run even if it doesn't find any problems.



Assuming your boot drive is C, run the following command:



chkdsk C: /r



Let chkdsk finish and correct any problems it might find. It may take

a long time to complete or appear to be 'stuck'. Be patient. If the

HDD light is

still flashing, it is doing something. Keep an eye on the percentage

amount to be sure it is still making progress. It may even appear to

go backwards sometimes.



Remove the CD and type 'exit' to leave the RC and restart the

computer.



You do not have to adjust the BIOS again to boot on the HDD since the

CD will not be present.



If you still have a BSOD, you can figure them out and fix them without

guessing or trying things, but first get the obvious stuff done, then

work on your BSOD.



With your system in a known state, this is the time to resolve any

remaining issues



If you want to share your last few BSOD information for commentary

while you are running MBAM, SAS and chkdsk/r, do this:



Download BlueScreenView from here:



http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/blue_screen_view.html



Unzip and run it and let it finish scanning all your dump files.

Select the most recent dump files by clicking them and holding down

the Ctrl key to select multiples files. Try to select just the most

recent ones that relate to your issue.



Click File, Save Selected Items and save the information from the

dumps to a text file on your desktop called BSOD.txt. Open BSOD.txt

with a text editor, copy all the text and paste it into your next

reply.
 
Hi Jose

My replies are intertwined.





"Jose" wrote in message

news:70ddf542-4f04-4799-a6b3-478b3affa069@o39g2000vbd.googlegroups.com...

> On May 25, 6:56 pm, "antioch" wrote:

>> Win XP SP3 - currently updated. Win Live Mail, IE8.

>> No recently ADDED HARDWARE OR SOFTWARE - seems important.

>>

>CLIPPED

>>

>> Rgds

>> Antioch

>

> If your message said "kernal" and not "kernel" your computer is

> infected.



---Typo



> You should scan for nasties with these:

>

> Perform some scans for malicious software, then fix any remaining

> issues:

>

> Download, install, update and do a full scan with these free malware

> detection programs:

>

> Malwarebytes (MBAM): http://malwarebytes.org/

> SUPERAntiSpyware: (SAS): http://www.superantispyware.com/

>

> They can be uninstalled later if desired.

>

---I had already done as above - use MBAM/SAS as a matter of course - also

did online Symantec plus onboard MS Security Essentials - all found nothing,

but of course does not mean system is clean.



> If your system runs chkdsk when you reboot the results are in the

> Event Log:



---I had run 3 chkdsks - event viewer reported no bad bits.



>

> Look in the Application log for an event sourced by Winlogon,

> something like:

>

> Event Type: Information

> Event Source: Winlogon

> Event Category: None

> Event ID: 1001

> Description:

> Checking file system on C:

> The type of the file system is NTFS.

>

> If you are not sure what chkdsk is doing or it is not completing, you

> should run it from the Recovery Console, then you can see what it is

> doing.



---Cannot get Recovery C to perform properly - all I kept getting was 'type

exit to quit and restart computer'



> The HDD has to be in a "static state" to get reliable results from

> chkdsk. You can achieve a static state in only two ways:



---I have since done this with the XP disc after the type exit as above

because it is a choice that can be typed instead of exit - again nothing

reported as corrupt etc.



> 1. Before XP finishes loading (when you select to run chkdsk on a

> restart).

> 2. From the Recovery Console

>

> Booting and running something like chkdsk is not chkdsk. You can read

> about it here (when you have time):

>

> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/187941

>

> You can create a bootable XP Recovery Console CD when no XP media is

> available: This is not the same as any Recovery or System CDs that

> may have come with a store bought system. I would not recommend using

> any tools that "are the same as chkdsk" or something that is "the same

> as a Recovery Console".

>

> Here is how to make an XP bootable Recovery Console CD if you are not

> sure what you have:

>

> http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic276527.html



---I have an OEM WIN XP DISC. I will add here that the computer functioned

OK all last night with no trouble at all. Restarts caused no problems.

This morning however, I switched on and it seemed to start OK but the

'little train' went on for a long time until the screen went blank and then

up popped 'NTLDR is missing etc etc.

Since then I have been trying to get into Rec Con and copy the two relevent

files from the XP disc but each time I get 'cannot be copied.'

I have as you will see, been through your methods already + plus other

little bits from various posts I had saved - more than one way to skin a

xxx.



> When you boot on the CD, follow the prompts:

>

> Press any key to boot from CD...

>

> The Windows Setup... will proceed.

>

> Press 'R' to enter the Recovery Console.



---Its here that I loose any choice - as explained above - only get the

option to exit.



> Select the installation you want to access (usually 1: C:\WINDOWS)

>

> You may be asked to enter the Administrator password (usually empty).



---Password - hope not - I have no idea what it might be unless its my login

one.

However I never get this far/choice most times.



> You should be in the C:\WINDOWS folder. This is the same as the C:

> \WINDOWS folder you see in explorer.

>

> RC allows basic file commands - copy, rename, replace, delete, cd,

> chkdsk, fixboot, fixmbr, etc.



---These are the ones mentioned above - chkdsk is about the only one that

worked.

>

> From the command prompt window run the chkdsk command on the drive

> where Windows is installed to try to repair any problems on the

> afflicted drive.

>

> Running chkdsk is fine to run even if it doesn't find any problems.

>

> Assuming your boot drive is C, run the following command:

>

> chkdsk C: /r



---the above command does not work. Just typing chkdsk does.



> Let chkdsk finish and correct any problems it might find. It may take

> a long time to complete or appear to be 'stuck'. Be patient. If the

> HDD light is

> still flashing, it is doing something. Keep an eye on the percentage

> amount to be sure it is still making progress. It may even appear to

> go backwards sometimes.



I have run this tree times this evening and each time it does report that

there were one or more errors on the volume.



> Remove the CD and type 'exit' to leave the RC and restart the

> computer.



---the disc cannot be removed first - however at the last go it all rebooted

back into windows and for the last hour or so has appeared stable.



> You do not have to adjust the BIOS again to boot on the HDD since the

> CD will not be present.

>

> If you still have a BSOD, you can figure them out and fix them without

> guessing or trying things, but first get the obvious stuff done, then

> work on your BSOD.

>

> With your system in a known state, this is the time to resolve any

> remaining issues

>

> If you want to share your last few BSOD information for commentary

> while you are running MBAM, SAS and chkdsk/r, do this:

>

> Download BlueScreenView from here:

>

> http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/blue_screen_view.html

>

> Unzip and run it and let it finish scanning all your dump files.

> Select the most recent dump files by clicking them and holding down

> the Ctrl key to select multiples files. Try to select just the most

> recent ones that relate to your issue.

>

> Click File, Save Selected Items and save the information from the

> dumps to a text file on your desktop called BSOD.txt. Open BSOD.txt

> with a text editor, copy all the text and paste it into your next

> reply.



---So most of the above is now in the past earlier today.

But I have a feeling that when I turn off......................?

but while I have the chance, I will go the HDD maker's site and get their

scan tool and run it.



Many thanks for your detailed help/advice etc and in particular the last

four/five paras - for the next time.

At the time I got the first BSOD I was about to troubleshoot a System

Restore filled with that bloody Software Distribution Service - cannot use

restore points at all. I have three months of them.



Rgds

Antioch
 
(cross-posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware)



antioch wrote:

> Win XP SP3 - currently updated. Win Live Mail, IE8.

> No recently ADDED HARDWARE OR SOFTWARE - seems important.

>

> Sorry re the length of this thread - it could have been longer. But

> I have tried to keep it short and with the latest situation -

> For the last 24 hours I have had a series of BSODs - not all the same.

> The 2 today have been Unmountable_Boot_Volume and having got through

> that, more recently the Kernal_Stack_Inpage errors.

>

> This morning I could not start/boot the computer at first, but

> eventually, more I think by luck than judgment, I got it to start and

> all seemed fine. I went out and came back some hours later, having

> left the computer on, only to find a BSOD with C0000218 Unknown hard

> error. Did a restart and got the computer up and running.

> Did a restart all OK.

> Switched off then on and got a BSOD, the Kernal - well at least it

> was anew one.

>

> Following troubleshooting in MS help and this newsgroup, I have tried

> various methods and got the computer running again.

> First tried the recovery console method but the press 'R' did not

> activate and respond - had not previously either - last known etc did

> not work previously either.

> Did a restart - let it run all the way through - got to the little

> blue train running through the tunnel - spent a couple of minutes at

> least watching this, then got BSOD Unmountable again.

> Restarted again, F8 and got the select boot device - inserted my OEM

> XP disc - selected the hard drive hit enter and at last the chkdsk

> started - it went through all phases, then it suddenly disappeared

> and the computer went through the normal start sequence - I allowed

> it to start with NORMAL XP - up came the welcome screen and all OK -

> and so far I have been using the computer without any particular side

> effects.

> Since then I have done another dskchk from start/run - went through

> all three phases until it got to 'verifying usn journal' - seemed to

> hang there for a while then the window disappeared.

> I have also run a scan for errors on C: via My Comp/Prop/Tools[is

> this the same as chkdsk] - result was 'unable to complete' in the

> third phase - no reason given - backed up all personal files, email,

> favourites, address book etc.

>

> Currently I am scanning for any 'nasties' and I have a laptop with

> which to keep in contact with the newsgroups.

>

> I will of course not know if I still have a BSOD problem until I

> switch off later tonight. A restart was again OK.

>

> Reading other posts/threads/forums etc I have a feeling that the HD

> may have a problem, seeing that I have had a variety of BSODs in the

> last 24 hours. So I am collating the best advice for a clean install.



I'm sure you need to replace the hard drive.



You can verify this by running the appropriate utility depending on the

make and model of the drive. You would need a working PC to build a

bootable floppy or CD.
 
"Daave" wrote in message

news:OnzdUIU$KHA.5044@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

> (cross-posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware)

>

> antioch wrote:

>> Win XP SP3 - currently updated. Win Live Mail, IE8.

>> No recently ADDED HARDWARE OR SOFTWARE - seems important.

>>

>> Sorry re the length of this thread - it could have been longer. But

>> I have tried to keep it short and with the latest situation -

>> For the last 24 hours I have had a series of BSODs - not all the same.

>> The 2 today have been Unmountable_Boot_Volume and having got through

>> that, more recently the Kernel_Stack_Inpage errors.



CLIPPED



>> Reading other posts/threads/forums etc I have a feeling that the HD

>> may have a problem, seeing that I have had a variety of BSODs in the

>> last 24 hours. So I am collating the best advice for a clean install.

>

> I'm sure you need to replace the hard drive.

>

> You can verify this by running the appropriate utility depending on the

> make and model of the drive. You would need a working PC to build a

> bootable floppy or CD.

>

Hi Daave

I also think the HDD is gone

I am waiting a reply from the Maxtor forum for advice on that - could not

find anything on the Seagate/Maxtor site - well nothing that indicated what

I needed/could use for a scan etc.

I have the Windows XP CD+SP3+all updates on disc since SP3+backup which I

keep updated as and when the computer is running.



Thanks for the Xpost to hardware.



Antioch
 
On May 26, 5:04 pm, "antioch" wrote:

> Hi Jose

> My replies are intertwined.

>

> "Jose" wrote in message

>

> news:70ddf542-4f04-4799-a6b3-478b3affa069@o39g2000vbd.googlegroups.com...

>

> > On May 25, 6:56 pm, "antioch" wrote:

> >> Win XP SP3 - currently updated.  Win Live Mail, IE8.

> >> No recently ADDED HARDWARE OR SOFTWARE - seems important.

>

> >CLIPPED

>

> >> Rgds

> >> Antioch

>

> > If your message said "kernal" and not "kernel" your computer is

> > infected.

>

> ---Typo

>

> > You should scan for nasties with these:

>

> > Perform some scans for malicious software, then fix any remaining

> > issues:

>

> > Download, install, update and do a full scan with these free malware

> > detection programs:

>

> > Malwarebytes (MBAM):  http://malwarebytes.org/

> > SUPERAntiSpyware: (SAS):  http://www.superantispyware.com/

>

> > They can be uninstalled later if desired.

>

> ---I had already done as above - use MBAM/SAS as a matter of course - also

> did online Symantec plus onboard MS Security Essentials - all found nothing,

> but of course does not mean system is clean.

>

> > If your system runs chkdsk when you reboot the results are in the

> > Event Log:

>

> ---I had run 3 chkdsks - event viewer reported no bad bits.

>

>

>

> > Look in the Application log for an event sourced by Winlogon,

> > something like:

>

> > Event Type: Information

> > Event Source: Winlogon

> > Event Category: None

> > Event ID: 1001

> > Description:

> > Checking file system on C:

> > The type of the file system is NTFS.

>

> > If you are not sure what chkdsk is doing or it is not completing, you

> > should run it from the Recovery Console, then you can see what it is

> > doing.

>

> ---Cannot get Recovery C to perform properly - all I kept getting was 'type

> exit to quit and restart computer'

>

> > The HDD has to be in a "static state" to get reliable results from

> > chkdsk.  You can achieve a static state in only two ways:

>

> ---I have since done this with the XP disc after the type exit as above

> because it is a choice that can be typed instead of exit - again nothing

> reported as corrupt etc.

>

>

>

>

>

> > 1.  Before XP finishes loading (when you select to run chkdsk on a

> > restart).

> > 2.  From the Recovery Console

>

> > Booting and running something like chkdsk is not chkdsk.  You can read

> > about it here (when you have time):

>

> >http://support.microsoft.com/kb/187941

>

> > You can create a bootable XP Recovery Console CD when no XP media is

> > available:  This is not the same as any Recovery or System CDs that

> > may have come with a store bought system.  I would not recommend using

> > any tools that "are the same as chkdsk" or something that is "the same

> > as a Recovery Console".

>

> > Here is how to make an XP bootable Recovery Console CD if you are not

> > sure what you have:

>

> >http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic276527.html

>

> ---I have an OEM WIN XP DISC.  I will add here that the computer functioned

> OK all last night with no trouble at all.  Restarts caused no problems.

> This morning however, I switched on and it seemed to start OK but the

> 'little train' went on for a long time until the screen went blank and then

> up popped 'NTLDR is missing etc etc.

> Since then I have been trying to get into Rec Con and copy the two relevent

> files from the XP disc but each time I get 'cannot be copied.'

> I have as you will see, been through your methods already + plus other

> little bits from various posts I had saved - more than one way to skin a

> xxx.

>

> > When you boot on the CD, follow the prompts:

>

> > Press any key to boot from CD...

>

> > The Windows Setup... will proceed.

>

> > Press 'R' to enter the Recovery Console.

>

> ---Its here that I loose any choice - as explained above - only get the

> option to exit.

>

> > Select the installation you want to access (usually  1: C:\WINDOWS)

>

> > You may be asked to enter the Administrator password (usually empty).

>

> ---Password - hope not - I have no idea what it might be unless its my login

> one.

> However I never get this far/choice most times.

>

> > You should be in the C:\WINDOWS folder.  This is the same as the C:

> > \WINDOWS folder you see in explorer.

>

> > RC allows basic file commands - copy, rename, replace, delete, cd,

> > chkdsk, fixboot, fixmbr, etc.

>

> ---These are the ones mentioned above - chkdsk is about the only one that

> worked.

>

>

>

> > From the command prompt window run the chkdsk command on the drive

> > where Windows is installed to try to repair any problems on the

> > afflicted drive.

>

> > Running chkdsk is fine to run even if it doesn't find any problems.

>

> > Assuming your boot drive is C, run the following command:

>

> > chkdsk C: /r

>

> ---the above command does not work.  Just typing chkdsk does.

>

> > Let chkdsk finish and correct any problems it might find.  It may take

> > a long time to complete or appear to be 'stuck'.  Be patient.  If the

> > HDD light is

> > still flashing, it is doing something.  Keep an eye on the percentage

> > amount to be sure it is still making progress.  It may even appear to

> > go backwards sometimes.

>

> I have run this tree times this evening and each time it does report that

> there were one or more errors on the volume.

>

> > Remove the CD and type 'exit' to leave the RC and restart the

> > computer.

>

> ---the disc cannot be removed first - however at the last go it all rebooted

> back into windows and for the last hour or so has appeared stable.

>

>

>

>

>

> > You do not have to adjust the BIOS again to boot on the HDD since the

> > CD will not be present.

>

> > If you still have a BSOD, you can figure them out and fix them without

> > guessing or trying things, but first get the obvious stuff done, then

> > work on your BSOD.

>

> > With your system in a known state, this is the time to resolve any

> > remaining issues

>

> > If you want to share your last few BSOD information for commentary

> > while you are running MBAM, SAS and chkdsk/r, do this:

>

> > Download BlueScreenView from here:

>

> >http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/blue_screen_view.html

>

> > Unzip and run it and let it finish scanning all your dump files.

> > Select the most recent dump files by clicking them and holding down

> > the Ctrl key to select multiples files. Try to select just the most

> > recent ones that relate to your issue.

>

> > Click File, Save Selected Items and save the information from the

> > dumps to a text file on your desktop called BSOD.txt.  Open BSOD.txt

> > with a text editor, copy all the text and paste it into your next

> > reply.

>

> ---So most of the above is now in the past earlier today.

> But I have a feeling that when I turn off......................?

> but while I have the chance, I will go the HDD maker's site and get their

> scan tool and run it.

>

> Many thanks for your detailed help/advice etc and in particular the last

> four/five paras - for the next time.

> At the time I got the first BSOD I was about to troubleshoot a System

> Restore filled with that bloody Software Distribution Service - cannot use

> restore points at all.  I have three months of them.

>

> Rgds

> Antioch



I guess I do not understand why you do not make a Recovery Console CD

and follow the directions that work so well for so many people and

insist on doing things your own way. I do not make these instructions

up on the fly just for your problem.



I did not say boot on your OEM XP CD and have no idea what CD you

have. Some people think they have an XP CD and they do not. If you

make the one I suggest there will be no question about it or how it

works. If you are not using the CD I told you about, you are could be

using the wrong CD which is why some things do not work. If you make

the CD I suggested, there will be no questions.



Running chkdsk without the /r option will fix nothing. It will report

errors but not fix anything. If you boot RC like I said, chkdsk /r

work - or it will do something (hopefully something good), then you

type 'exit' to reboot. That is how it has worked hundreds and

hundreds and hundreds of times.



I know my instructions work from the Recovery Console CD I talk

about.



I guess I will leave you in the hands of others so you can keep trying

things that might work maybe and perhaps you will get lucky. I am not

big on trying things..



Rotsa ruck!
 
Antioch wrote:

> "Daave" wrote in message

> news:OnzdUIU$KHA.5044@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

>> (cross-posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware)

>>

>> antioch wrote:

>>> Win XP SP3 - currently updated. Win Live Mail, IE8.

>>> No recently ADDED HARDWARE OR SOFTWARE - seems important.

>>>

>>> Sorry re the length of this thread - it could have been longer. But

>>> I have tried to keep it short and with the latest situation -

>>> For the last 24 hours I have had a series of BSODs - not all the

>>> same. The 2 today have been Unmountable_Boot_Volume and having got

>>> through that, more recently the Kernel_Stack_Inpage errors.

>

> CLIPPED

>

>>> Reading other posts/threads/forums etc I have a feeling that the HD

>>> may have a problem, seeing that I have had a variety of BSODs in the

>>> last 24 hours. So I am collating the best advice for a clean

>>> install.

>>

>> I'm sure you need to replace the hard drive.

>>

>> You can verify this by running the appropriate utility depending on

>> the make and model of the drive. You would need a working PC to

>> build a bootable floppy or CD.

>>

> Hi Daave

> I also think the HDD is gone

> I am waiting a reply from the Maxtor forum for advice on that - could

> not find anything on the Seagate/Maxtor site - well nothing that

> indicated what I needed/could use for a scan etc.

> I have the Windows XP CD+SP3+all updates on disc since SP3+backup

> which I keep updated as and when the computer is running.

>

> Thanks for the Xpost to hardware.



YW. Chances are that SeaTools for DOS will be your ticket:



http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.j...toid=720bd20cacdec010VgnVCM100000dd04090aRCRD
 
"Daave" wrote in message

news:#1hQvAa$KHA.5464@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

> Antioch wrote:

>> "Daave" wrote in message

>> news:OnzdUIU$KHA.5044@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

>>> (cross-posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware)

>>>

>>> antioch wrote:

>>>> Win XP SP3 - currently updated. Win Live Mail, IE8.

>>>> No recently ADDED HARDWARE OR SOFTWARE - seems important.

>>>>

>>>> Sorry re the length of this thread - it could have been longer. But

>>>> I have tried to keep it short and with the latest situation -

>>>> For the last 24 hours I have had a series of BSODs - not all the

>>>> same. The 2 today have been Unmountable_Boot_Volume and having got

>>>> through that, more recently the Kernel_Stack_Inpage errors.

>>

>> CLIPPED

>>

>>>> Reading other posts/threads/forums etc I have a feeling that the HD

>>>> may have a problem, seeing that I have had a variety of BSODs in the

>>>> last 24 hours. So I am collating the best advice for a clean

>>>> install.

>>>

>>> I'm sure you need to replace the hard drive.

>>>

>>> You can verify this by running the appropriate utility depending on

>>> the make and model of the drive. You would need a working PC to

>>> build a bootable floppy or CD.

>>>

>> Hi Daave

>> I also think the HDD is gone

>> I am waiting a reply from the Maxtor forum for advice on that - could

>> not find anything on the Seagate/Maxtor site - well nothing that

>> indicated what I needed/could use for a scan etc.

>> I have the Windows XP CD+SP3+all updates on disc since SP3+backup

>> which I keep updated as and when the computer is running.

>>

>> Thanks for the Xpost to hardware.

>

> YW. Chances are that SeaTools for DOS will be your ticket:

>

> http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.j...toid=720bd20cacdec010VgnVCM100000dd04090aRCRD

>

I will see what they offer when I get reply - thanks for the link.



Rgds

Antioch
 
"Daave" wrote in message

news:#1hQvAa$KHA.5464@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

> Antioch wrote:

>> "Daave" wrote in message

>> news:OnzdUIU$KHA.5044@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

>>> (cross-posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware)

>>>

>>> antioch wrote:

>>>> Win XP SP3 - currently updated. Win Live Mail, IE8.

>>>> No recently ADDED HARDWARE OR SOFTWARE - seems important.

>>>>

>>>> Sorry re the length of this thread - it could have been longer. But

>>>> I have tried to keep it short and with the latest situation -

>>>> For the last 24 hours I have had a series of BSODs - not all the

>>>> same. The 2 today have been Unmountable_Boot_Volume and having got

>>>> through that, more recently the Kernel_Stack_Inpage errors.

>>

>> CLIPPED

>>

>>>> Reading other posts/threads/forums etc I have a feeling that the HD

>>>> may have a problem, seeing that I have had a variety of BSODs in the

>>>> last 24 hours. So I am collating the best advice for a clean

>>>> install.

>>>

>>> I'm sure you need to replace the hard drive.

>>>

>>> You can verify this by running the appropriate utility depending on

>>> the make and model of the drive. You would need a working PC to

>>> build a bootable floppy or CD.

>>>

>> Hi Daave

>> I also think the HDD is gone

>> I am waiting a reply from the Maxtor forum for advice on that - could

>> not find anything on the Seagate/Maxtor site - well nothing that

>> indicated what I needed/could use for a scan etc.

>> I have the Windows XP CD+SP3+all updates on disc since SP3+backup

>> which I keep updated as and when the computer is running.

>>

>> Thanks for the Xpost to hardware.

>

> YW. Chances are that SeaTools for DOS will be your ticket:

>

> http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.j...toid=720bd20cacdec010VgnVCM100000dd04090aRCRD

>

Hi Daave

I have at last been able to run the diag for Windows and the DOS one - both

'passed' all checks/scans - no repair work done.

I have also managed to get the computer up and running after - that was

yesterday and reboot after reboot was OK. But today, the wretched thing

will not reboot - in fact I cannot even boot with the XP disc loaded and

during the Rec. Console performance, I can no longer perform a CHKDSK - KEEP

GETTING 'PATH FILE NOT RECOGNISED/VALID' - in fact, nothing entered into the

command line works where it has done before.

So am no nearer finding out if the HDD is the problem or it is something

else. For the moment I am not in mind to do a complete reinstall of

Windows - if the HDD is the problem, then I am still stuck where I am now.

I still have had no reply from my post in the Maxtor/Seagate forums.



I have also been trying to find what is meant by 'A devise enclosed in

parenthesis[brackets] has been disabled in the corresponding type menu',

which appears in the Bios Setup Utility boot devise priority. I have read

at least 30 Google links and nowhere does it explain what it means - it does

appear though that this info is particular to ASUS MBs. But I can find no

way to get rid of the brackets. Perhaps this is why I can no longer boot

up.



I have two columns -



1st Boot Device [PM-ATPI iHAP322 9]

2nd Boot Device [1st Floppy Drive]

3rd Boot Device [3M-Maxtor 6L160MO]





Thanks for the link - it directed me to both pieces of diag software.



Antioch
 
antioch wrote:

> "Daave" wrote in message

> news:#1hQvAa$KHA.5464@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

>> Antioch wrote:

>>> "Daave" wrote in message

>>> news:OnzdUIU$KHA.5044@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

>>>> (cross-posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware)

>>>>

>>>> antioch wrote:

>>>>> Win XP SP3 - currently updated. Win Live Mail, IE8.

>>>>> No recently ADDED HARDWARE OR SOFTWARE - seems important.

>>>>>

>>>>> Sorry re the length of this thread - it could have been longer.

>>>>> But I have tried to keep it short and with the latest situation -

>>>>> For the last 24 hours I have had a series of BSODs - not all the

>>>>> same. The 2 today have been Unmountable_Boot_Volume and having got

>>>>> through that, more recently the Kernel_Stack_Inpage errors.

>>>

>>> CLIPPED

>>>

>>>>> Reading other posts/threads/forums etc I have a feeling that the

>>>>> HD may have a problem, seeing that I have had a variety of BSODs

>>>>> in the last 24 hours. So I am collating the best advice for a

>>>>> clean install.

>>>>

>>>> I'm sure you need to replace the hard drive.

>>>>

>>>> You can verify this by running the appropriate utility depending on

>>>> the make and model of the drive. You would need a working PC to

>>>> build a bootable floppy or CD.

>>>>

>>> Hi Daave

>>> I also think the HDD is gone

>>> I am waiting a reply from the Maxtor forum for advice on that -

>>> could not find anything on the Seagate/Maxtor site - well nothing

>>> that indicated what I needed/could use for a scan etc.

>>> I have the Windows XP CD+SP3+all updates on disc since SP3+backup

>>> which I keep updated as and when the computer is running.

>>>

>>> Thanks for the Xpost to hardware.

>>

>> YW. Chances are that SeaTools for DOS will be your ticket:

>>

>> http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.j...toid=720bd20cacdec010VgnVCM100000dd04090aRCRD

>>

> Hi Daave

> I have at last been able to run the diag for Windows and the DOS one

> - both 'passed' all checks/scans - no repair work done.

> I have also managed to get the computer up and running after - that

> was yesterday and reboot after reboot was OK. But today, the

> wretched thing will not reboot - in fact I cannot even boot with the

> XP disc loaded and during the Rec. Console performance, I can no

> longer perform a CHKDSK - KEEP GETTING 'PATH FILE NOT

> RECOGNISED/VALID' - in fact, nothing entered into the command line

> works where it has done before. So am no nearer finding out if the HDD

> is the problem or it is

> something else. For the moment I am not in mind to do a complete

> reinstall of Windows - if the HDD is the problem, then I am still

> stuck where I am now. I still have had no reply from my post in the

> Maxtor/Seagate forums.

> I have also been trying to find what is meant by 'A devise enclosed in

> parenthesis[brackets] has been disabled in the corresponding type

> menu', which appears in the Bios Setup Utility boot devise priority. I

> have read at least 30 Google links and nowhere does it explain what

> it means - it does appear though that this info is particular to ASUS

> MBs. But I can find no way to get rid of the brackets. Perhaps this

> is why I can no longer boot up.

>

> I have two columns -

>

> 1st Boot Device [PM-ATPI iHAP322 9]

> 2nd Boot Device [1st Floppy Drive]

> 3rd Boot Device [3M-Maxtor 6L160MO]

>

>

> Thanks for the link - it directed me to both pieces of diag software.



[Please start with my last paragraph!]



Assuming your disk is healthy (and that is a safe assumption if running

SeaTools on the bootable floppy you made gave it a clean bill of

health), you may very well need to do what Jose advised. Don't feel that

you wasted your time. Best practice dictates that you check the health

of your drive first. You now have the knowledge it is healthy. Of

course, if nothing works, then you will need to perform a Clean Install.

Hopefully, either chkdsk or a repair install will work. You could also

perform what is popularly known as a manual system restore (going back

to the time before you experienced these BSODs):



http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545



When you do the above or the chkdsk and require the Recovery Console, it

is imperative you configure your BIOS to boot off the CD rather than the

usual hard drive. I see in one of your replies to Jose that you were

having problems with the Recovery Console. Is it possible you has

installed it on your hard drive and were using *that* version of it? Is

it possible you didn't boot off the CD? If you have a genuine Windows XP

installation CD, it comes with RC. If there is something wrong with the

CD, you can certainly make your own bootable RC disk (Jose told you

about that already).



I suspect you are doing it incorrectly. There are two ways to perform

chkdsk: One way is using the function from your XP installation

currently on your hard drive. The other way is to us RC from the correct

bootable CD (and making sure you are indeed booting off the CD!). You

said you tried the command Jose gave you (chkdsk C: /R) and it didn't

work. This indicates you did not boot off the RC CD. Keep in mind that

if your present installation CD doesn't work, the bootable RC CD you can

create should work.



Speaking of...



In your one post, you stated:



"I have an OEM WIN XP DISC."



What does that mean? What is the make and model of this PC? Please

describe this CD *in detail*!



I just re-read your post. The BIOS setup message is disturbing to say

the least! Check all your connections; perhaps something came loose.

Since this has been cross-posted to the hardware newsgroup, perhaps

someone else can chime in with useful information. Otherwise, post to an

ASUS motherboard Web forum. A Clean Install won't help if you have

motherboard issues! Maybe all you did was inadvertantly temporarily

disable one of your bootable devices.
 
Hi Daave

Many thanks - I will read your reply with care and come back to you.



Antioch



"Daave" wrote in message

news:esQzRf0$KHA.1700@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

> antioch wrote:

>> "Daave" wrote in message

>> news:#1hQvAa$KHA.5464@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

>>> Antioch wrote:

>>>> "Daave" wrote in message

>>>> news:OnzdUIU$KHA.5044@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

>>>>> (cross-posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware)

>>>>>

>>>>> antioch wrote:

>>>>>> Win XP SP3 - currently updated. Win Live Mail, IE8.

>>>>>> No recently ADDED HARDWARE OR SOFTWARE - seems important.

>>>>>>

>>>>>> Sorry re the length of this thread - it could have been longer. But I

>>>>>> have tried to keep it short and with the latest situation -

>>>>>> For the last 24 hours I have had a series of BSODs - not all the

>>>>>> same. The 2 today have been Unmountable_Boot_Volume and having got

>>>>>> through that, more recently the Kernel_Stack_Inpage errors.

>>>>

>>>> CLIPPED

>>>>

>>>>>> Reading other posts/threads/forums etc I have a feeling that the

>>>>>> HD may have a problem, seeing that I have had a variety of BSODs

>>>>>> in the last 24 hours. So I am collating the best advice for a

>>>>>> clean install.

>>>>>

>>>>> I'm sure you need to replace the hard drive.

>>>>>

>>>>> You can verify this by running the appropriate utility depending on

>>>>> the make and model of the drive. You would need a working PC to

>>>>> build a bootable floppy or CD.

>>>>>

>>>> Hi Daave

>>>> I also think the HDD is gone

>>>> I am waiting a reply from the Maxtor forum for advice on that -

>>>> could not find anything on the Seagate/Maxtor site - well nothing

>>>> that indicated what I needed/could use for a scan etc.

>>>> I have the Windows XP CD+SP3+all updates on disc since SP3+backup

>>>> which I keep updated as and when the computer is running.

>>>>

>>>> Thanks for the Xpost to hardware.

>>>

>>> YW. Chances are that SeaTools for DOS will be your ticket:

>>>

>>> http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.j...toid=720bd20cacdec010VgnVCM100000dd04090aRCRD

>>>

>> Hi Daave

>> I have at last been able to run the diag for Windows and the DOS one

>> - both 'passed' all checks/scans - no repair work done.

>> I have also managed to get the computer up and running after - that

>> was yesterday and reboot after reboot was OK. But today, the

>> wretched thing will not reboot - in fact I cannot even boot with the

>> XP disc loaded and during the Rec. Console performance, I can no

>> longer perform a CHKDSK - KEEP GETTING 'PATH FILE NOT

>> RECOGNISED/VALID' - in fact, nothing entered into the command line

>> works where it has done before. So am no nearer finding out if the HDD is

>> the problem or it is

>> something else. For the moment I am not in mind to do a complete

>> reinstall of Windows - if the HDD is the problem, then I am still

>> stuck where I am now. I still have had no reply from my post in the

>> Maxtor/Seagate forums.

>> I have also been trying to find what is meant by 'A devise enclosed in

>> parenthesis[brackets] has been disabled in the corresponding type

>> menu', which appears in the Bios Setup Utility boot devise priority. I

>> have read at least 30 Google links and nowhere does it explain what

>> it means - it does appear though that this info is particular to ASUS

>> MBs. But I can find no way to get rid of the brackets. Perhaps this

>> is why I can no longer boot up.

>>

>> I have two columns -

>>

>> 1st Boot Device [PM-ATPI iHAP322 9]

>> 2nd Boot Device [1st Floppy Drive]

>> 3rd Boot Device [3M-Maxtor 6L160MO]

>>

>>

>> Thanks for the link - it directed me to both pieces of diag software.

>

> [Please start with my last paragraph!]

>

> Assuming your disk is healthy (and that is a safe assumption if running

> SeaTools on the bootable floppy you made gave it a clean bill of health),

> you may very well need to do what Jose advised. Don't feel that you wasted

> your time. Best practice dictates that you check the health of your drive

> first. You now have the knowledge it is healthy. Of course, if nothing

> works, then you will need to perform a Clean Install. Hopefully, either

> chkdsk or a repair install will work. You could also perform what is

> popularly known as a manual system restore (going back to the time before

> you experienced these BSODs):

>

> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545

>

> When you do the above or the chkdsk and require the Recovery Console, it

> is imperative you configure your BIOS to boot off the CD rather than the

> usual hard drive. I see in one of your replies to Jose that you were

> having problems with the Recovery Console. Is it possible you has

> installed it on your hard drive and were using *that* version of it? Is it

> possible you didn't boot off the CD? If you have a genuine Windows XP

> installation CD, it comes with RC. If there is something wrong with the

> CD, you can certainly make your own bootable RC disk (Jose told you about

> that already).

>

> I suspect you are doing it incorrectly. There are two ways to perform

> chkdsk: One way is using the function from your XP installation currently

> on your hard drive. The other way is to us RC from the correct bootable CD

> (and making sure you are indeed booting off the CD!). You said you tried

> the command Jose gave you (chkdsk C: /R) and it didn't work. This

> indicates you did not boot off the RC CD. Keep in mind that if your

> present installation CD doesn't work, the bootable RC CD you can create

> should work.

>

> Speaking of...

>

> In your one post, you stated:

>

> "I have an OEM WIN XP DISC."

>

> What does that mean? What is the make and model of this PC? Please

> describe this CD *in detail*!

>

> I just re-read your post. The BIOS setup message is disturbing to say the

> least! Check all your connections; perhaps something came loose. Since

> this has been cross-posted to the hardware newsgroup, perhaps someone else

> can chime in with useful information. Otherwise, post to an ASUS

> motherboard Web forum. A Clean Install won't help if you have motherboard

> issues! Maybe all you did was inadvertantly temporarily disable one of

> your bootable devices.

>
 
"antioch" wrote in message

news:eswHZt0$KHA.1068@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

> Hi Daave

> Many thanks - I will read your reply with care and come back to you.

>

> Antioch

>

I forgot to add that I have a genuine Microsoft Windows XP SP2 disc. with

key code.

It is not a bootable OEM from the computer builder.

I have been able to get into R.C. and have performed recovery.



At startup I have an immediate choice after tapping F8 to boot from CD -

this has been working OK hence my ability to do chkdsk - but alas not at the

moment.



Antioch
 
antioch wrote:

> "antioch" wrote in message

> news:eswHZt0$KHA.1068@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

>> Hi Daave

>> Many thanks - I will read your reply with care and come back to you.

>>

>> Antioch

>>

> I forgot to add that I have a genuine Microsoft Windows XP SP2 disc.

> with key code.

> It is not a bootable OEM from the computer builder.

> I have been able to get into R.C. and have performed recovery.

>

> At startup I have an immediate choice after tapping F8 to boot from

> CD - this has been working OK hence my ability to do chkdsk - but

> alas not at the moment.



Are you sure you don't mean F1 or F2? Or Esc? Or Del? Those are the keys

most commonly used to enter Setup (to configure your BIOS to boot from

the CD). More info:



http://michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm



F8 is used to enter the Windows menu for options such as Safe Mode and

Last Known Good Configuration.



Certain PCs allow you to choose a boot device without needing to enter

Setup. For instance, many Dells allow you to press F12 to get such a

menu.
 
"antioch" wrote in message

news:OUgOG90$KHA.5560@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>

> "antioch" wrote in message

> news:eswHZt0$KHA.1068@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

>> Hi Daave

>> Many thanks - I will read your reply with care and come back to you.

>>

>> Antioch

>>

> I forgot to add that I have a genuine Microsoft Windows XP SP2 disc. with

> key code.

> It is not a bootable OEM from the computer builder.

> I have been able to get into R.C. and have performed recovery.

>

> At startup I have an immediate choice after tapping F8 to boot from CD -

> this has been working OK hence my ability to do chkdsk - but alas not at

> the moment.

>

> Antioch



Another quick update - I did that old trick - unplug - left it off for 30

mins - came back - switched on and Windows has fired up in double quick

time.

But I know from previously, if I switch off[not unplug] it will not start.

So while I have it running I will look through event viewer etc and see if a

chkdsk works.

I forgot to add the XP disc, it is not the retail type i.e. it is tied to my

current computer which I had built to my specs 5 years ago. The difference

between OEM and Retail genuine XP disc has been a regular topic in this

newsgroup - the main difference being with an OEM I cannot install it on

another computer - well not legally - but it is possible :-)

So for the moment, I am going back to re-read the post from Jose and follow

the instructions there.

I see you have not yet taken that leap of faith to Windows Live Mail and

still on the OE6.

I am using WLM - I miss OE 6 but now I am used to WLM I will not be going

back.

It is a big improvement to WM.



Antioch
 
antioch wrote:



> Another quick update - I did that old trick - unplug - left it off

> for 30 mins - came back - switched on and Windows has fired up in

> double quick time.

> But I know from previously, if I switch off[not unplug] it will not

> start.



What are your power settings set for? Do you use Hiberbnation or System

Standby? Which method do you use to "switch off?"
 
"Daave" wrote in message

news:OdHX6B1$KHA.1892@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

> antioch wrote:

>> "antioch" wrote in message

>> news:eswHZt0$KHA.1068@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

>>> Hi Daave

>>> Many thanks - I will read your reply with care and come back to you.

>>>

>>> Antioch

>>>

>> I forgot to add that I have a genuine Microsoft Windows XP SP2 disc.

>> with key code.

>> It is not a bootable OEM from the computer builder.

>> I have been able to get into R.C. and have performed recovery.

>>

>> At startup I have an immediate choice after tapping F8 to boot from

>> CD - this has been working OK hence my ability to do chkdsk - but

>> alas not at the moment.

>

> Are you sure you don't mean F1 or F2? Or Esc? Or Del? Those are the keys

> most commonly used to enter Setup (to configure your BIOS to boot from the

> CD). More info:

>

> http://michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

>

> F8 is used to enter the Windows menu for options such as Safe Mode and

> Last Known Good Configuration.

>

> Certain PCs allow you to choose a boot device without needing to enter

> Setup. For instance, many Dells allow you to press F12 to get such a menu.

>

At the first screen - called set up I think - I have at the bottom of screen

DEL TO RUN setup - TAB to enter BIOS.

If I ignore that screen and go to the next I get the IDE scan - after that I

get a window with F8 at the bottom - when I press that I get the Advanced

Options menu which have not always allowed me a choice.

However, if I press the F8 key at the IDE scan, I get a small coloured

window with PLEASE SELECT BOOT DEVICE - 1ST FLOPPY -then PM-ATAPI[CD DRIVE]

and lastly 3M MAXTOR[HDD].

I think this is a sort of quick boot. You press arrows to select then enter

or ESC to use defaults.



This the order in which they are in the Bios.



Hope I have explained this clearly.



Antioch
 
"Daave" wrote in message

news:uRi0$N1$KHA.5536@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

> antioch wrote:

>

>> Another quick update - I did that old trick - unplug - left it off

>> for 30 mins - came back - switched on and Windows has fired up in

>> double quick time.

>> But I know from previously, if I switch off[not unplug] it will not

>> start.

>

> What are your power settings set for? Do you use Hiberbnation or System

> Standby? Which method do you use to "switch off?"

>

I do not know what the power settings are - are they in Bios - if so will

get them later.

Never use Hibernation or standby - I exit via Start/Turn off.

I will be away from the computer for a while.



Antioch
 
antioch wrote:

> "Daave" wrote in message

> news:OdHX6B1$KHA.1892@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

>> antioch wrote:

>>> "antioch" wrote in message

>>> news:eswHZt0$KHA.1068@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

>>>> Hi Daave

>>>> Many thanks - I will read your reply with care and come back to

>>>> you. Antioch

>>>>

>>> I forgot to add that I have a genuine Microsoft Windows XP SP2 disc.

>>> with key code.

>>> It is not a bootable OEM from the computer builder.

>>> I have been able to get into R.C. and have performed recovery.

>>>

>>> At startup I have an immediate choice after tapping F8 to boot from

>>> CD - this has been working OK hence my ability to do chkdsk - but

>>> alas not at the moment.

>>

>> Are you sure you don't mean F1 or F2? Or Esc? Or Del? Those are the

>> keys most commonly used to enter Setup (to configure your BIOS to

>> boot from the CD). More info:

>>

>> http://michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

>>

>> F8 is used to enter the Windows menu for options such as Safe Mode

>> and Last Known Good Configuration.

>>

>> Certain PCs allow you to choose a boot device without needing to

>> enter Setup. For instance, many Dells allow you to press F12 to get

>> such a menu.

> At the first screen - called set up I think - I have at the bottom of

> screen DEL TO RUN setup - TAB to enter BIOS.

> If I ignore that screen and go to the next I get the IDE scan - after

> that I get a window with F8 at the bottom - when I press that I get

> the Advanced Options menu which have not always allowed me a choice.

> However, if I press the F8 key at the IDE scan, I get a small coloured

> window with PLEASE SELECT BOOT DEVICE - 1ST FLOPPY -then PM-ATAPI[CD

> DRIVE] and lastly 3M MAXTOR[HDD].

> I think this is a sort of quick boot. You press arrows to select

> then enter or ESC to use defaults.

>

> This the order in which they are in the Bios.

>

> Hope I have explained this clearly.



If your CD drive already has a higher priority than your hard drive in

the BIOS settings for boot order, then there is no need to press

*anything* when you boot up. That is, if you turn the PC on, does it

boot off the CD? If you are running off the XP installation CD, you

should see this screen:



http://www.pcxmedics.com/blog/images/clean-install-xp-1.jpg



Do you?



What is the make and model of your motherboard?
 
"Daave" wrote in message

news:Oi6IOO2$KHA.4400@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

> antioch wrote:

>> "Daave" wrote in message

>> news:OdHX6B1$KHA.1892@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

>>> antioch wrote:

>>>> "antioch" wrote in message

>>>> news:eswHZt0$KHA.1068@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

>>>>> Hi Daave

>>>>> Many thanks - I will read your reply with care and come back to

>>>>> you. Antioch

>>>>>

>>>> I forgot to add that I have a genuine Microsoft Windows XP SP2 disc.

>>>> with key code.

>>>> It is not a bootable OEM from the computer builder.

>>>> I have been able to get into R.C. and have performed recovery.

>>>>

>>>> At startup I have an immediate choice after tapping F8 to boot from

>>>> CD - this has been working OK hence my ability to do chkdsk - but

>>>> alas not at the moment.

>>>

>>> Are you sure you don't mean F1 or F2? Or Esc? Or Del? Those are the

>>> keys most commonly used to enter Setup (to configure your BIOS to

>>> boot from the CD). More info:

>>>

>>> http://michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

>>>

>>> F8 is used to enter the Windows menu for options such as Safe Mode

>>> and Last Known Good Configuration.

>>>

>>> Certain PCs allow you to choose a boot device without needing to

>>> enter Setup. For instance, many Dells allow you to press F12 to get

>>> such a menu.

>> At the first screen - called set up I think - I have at the bottom of

>> screen DEL TO RUN setup - TAB to enter BIOS.

>> If I ignore that screen and go to the next I get the IDE scan - after

>> that I get a window with F8 at the bottom - when I press that I get

>> the Advanced Options menu which have not always allowed me a choice.

>> However, if I press the F8 key at the IDE scan, I get a small coloured

>> window with PLEASE SELECT BOOT DEVICE - 1ST FLOPPY -then PM-ATAPI[CD

>> DRIVE] and lastly 3M MAXTOR[HDD].

>> I think this is a sort of quick boot. You press arrows to select

>> then enter or ESC to use defaults.

>>

>> This the order in which they are in the Bios.

>>

>> Hope I have explained this clearly.

>

> If your CD drive already has a higher priority than your hard drive in the

> BIOS settings for boot order, then there is no need to press *anything*

> when you boot up. That is, if you turn the PC on, does it boot off the CD?

> If you are running off the XP installation CD, you should see this screen:

>

> http://www.pcxmedics.com/blog/images/clean-install-xp-1.jpg

>

> Do you?

>

> What is the make and model of your motherboard?

>

Boot order in Bios is floppy, HDD then CD Rom. The order in that small

coloured window which I get with F8 at the IDE scan is in no particular

order - its just there to select.

I have put the ISO disc in and started the boot - I get no 'press any key to

boot from CD.....'

But if I pick CD from that coloured window, I do get that prompt.

I also get the same result with the WIN XP disc in the computer. The only

variance is at the end of the Rec. Con activity - as to what I can/cannot

enter in the command line.

So I would conclude that of course the CD does not have a higher priority

boot in the bios - as I believe they are the default settings as I mentioned

above.



Oh, nearly forgot - yes I can also use DEL at the first screen to enter

setup - then I go to BOOT in the menu. But I do not like going to places

where I have no idea what I am doing - bit like the registry.

To me it appears that it matters not what disc is in there - they booth

require CD boot to be selected and both behave erratically in the Rec. Con.

Hope that answers all your question.

MB is an Asus P5LD2.



FOR INFO OF JOSE - sorry to include here in my reply to Daave -



I have tried to run command prompt chkdsk C: /r - it will not accept it with

the ISO disc/nor the XP disc. - only on CHKDSK will it run..



"Remove the CD and type 'exit' to leave the RC and restart the

computer." You can only eject the CD after you exit, not before.



"If you still have a BSOD................." When I get it, it is now only

the 'unmountable' - none as yet of the others.



"Download BlueScreenView from here:" Thanks - a very handy gadget.



The XP disc I have is for install, repair, recovery amongst other things - I

have used it many times to get small files for

repair/replace/missing/corrupt.



As I have said before, I cannot enter the chkdsk C: /r - it matters not

which disc I use. Then why is that not an option in the help command

lines????

But just to confirm I get this at the command line C:\ > - what I can type

in there is I am afraid hit and miss, and if something does take then more

often than not I get 'the path or file specified is not valid'. Perhaps I

am not typing the entry properly but I have tried many ways.

The last Rec Con I ran I was able to do CHKDSK [not with the 'r'] - refused

it.

At the end I got 'the volume appears to contain one or more unrecoverable

errors.

I entered exit - rebooted and up fired windows - but then this has been

happening for no logical reason. So I do not dare to Turn Off because I

know it will not come back again on restart.



Sorry re the delay with covering all your points/questions and advice - it

has been much appreciated. I hope I have done them to the letter - sorry if

the results have been a negative.



Many thanks you you both - your time and patience is appreciated - I am NOT

looking forward to going back to those archaic/cranky web interface

discussion groups.



Rgds

Antioch
 
antioch wrote:

> "Daave" wrote in message



>> If your CD drive already has a higher priority than your hard drive

>> in the BIOS settings for boot order, then there is no need to press

>> *anything* when you boot up. That is, if you turn the PC on, does it

>> boot off the CD? If you are running off the XP installation CD, you

>> should see this screen:

>> http://www.pcxmedics.com/blog/images/clean-install-xp-1.jpg

>>

>> Do you?

>>

>> What is the make and model of your motherboard?

>>

> Boot order in Bios is floppy, HDD then CD Rom. The order in that

> small coloured window which I get with F8 at the IDE scan is in no

> particular order - its just there to select.

> I have put the ISO disc in and started the boot - I get no 'press any

> key to boot from CD.....'

> But if I pick CD from that coloured window, I do get that prompt.

> I also get the same result with the WIN XP disc in the computer. The

> only variance is at the end of the Rec. Con activity - as to what I

> can/cannot enter in the command line.

> So I would conclude that of course the CD does not have a higher

> priority boot in the bios - as I believe they are the default

> settings as I mentioned above.



I think you are getting too hung up on this F8 IDE scan.



You need to simplify this process!



Just place the CD ahead of the hard drive in the boot order. If there is

no CD in the drive, then it will boot off the hard drive anyway.

Furthermore, you can always undo the change. It is simple and safe (as

long as you don't purposefully change other settings).



> Oh, nearly forgot - yes I can also use DEL at the first screen to

> enter setup - then I go to BOOT in the menu.



This is what you need to do! Then make the CD-ROM drive the first (or

second) priority (as long as it precedes the HDD).



> But I do not like going

> to places where I have no idea what I am doing - bit like the

> registry.



This is basic. If it really bothers you that much, you should find a

tech to do this for you. But if you reconsider, simply jot down all the

BIOS settings. This is way you have a record of them in case you ever

need to reset them.



> To me it appears that it matters not what disc is in there - they

> booth require CD boot to be selected and both behave erratically in

> the Rec. Con. Hope that answers all your question.



The erratic behavior should disappear once you act upon my suggestion.

:-)



> MB is an Asus P5LD2.



When I have more time, I will look into this motherboard and the F8 IDE

scan you mention.



Finally, there is no such thing as an ISO disc. Perhaps you mean the

bootable RC disc you created based on an .iso file you downloaded? If

this is the case, it is imperative that you burn it the correct way with

the correct software. Many people make the common mistake of simply

burning (i.e., copying) the file onto the CD. Which method and software

did you use?
 
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